House Passes New Spending Bill
The Hill reports:
Republicans said a longer-term measure is preferable, but accused Senate Democrats and President Obama of having no viable plan.
The House on Tuesday approved a sixth short-term spending resolution for the current fiscal year by a 271-158 vote, despite opposition from a group of conservatives who called for deeper cuts and social policy riders.
Senate consideration of the measure could come as early as Wednesday amid growing frustration over the partisan stalemate on a longer-term bill to fund the government through September.
The frustration with the three-week spending bill was apparent on two fronts: 54 Republicans defected on the measure, far more than the six who voted against the last stopgap. That temporary measure, which expires Friday, passed 335-91.
Fewer Democrats also crossed party lines to support the new continuing resolution. This time, 85 Democrats voted with Republicans, compared to 104 in the earlier vote.
Republicans acknowledged that a longer-term funding bill is preferable, but blamed Senate Democrats and President Obama for failing to put forth an alternative budget that can pass the Senate. The GOP said the three-week spending resolution should give the Senate plenty of time (it expires April 8) to figure out what can pass there.
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